Corrections Branch

If you have an inmate safety concern, contact our staff, 24 hours per day, at (360)397-2207.

Chief Ric Bishop

Corrections Mission Statement:

Our mission is to promote and maintain public safety through effective correctional and reentry practices.

It is our vision to help inmates successfully re-enter our community, through a comprehensive level of supervision and care by following the elements of TRANSFORM.

TRANSFORM reflects the following correctional management approaches:

Treatment - includes screening at time of arrest for possible diversion, jail intake, transition, and discharge planningRe-entry - includes discharge program tailored to each individualAccountability - compliant with local, State, Federal and Constitutional lawsNetworking - building partnerships with our diverse communitySafety - safeguarding the community, staff, and inmatesFiscal Prudence - financially responsible operation of the jailOrganization - being responsive to meet the needs of the mission statementRespect - respect for all members of our community; citizens, staff, and inmatesMission - all policies, procedures, practices, and strategies will be tied into the corrections mission

The vision of TRANSFORM will be accomplished through the major program components of Pre-Release Programming, Transition Planning and Post Release Follow-up. Absent an inmate's choice to participate in a Reentry program, they will be housed in a safe environment, provided basic human services equal to or exceeding constitutional requirements, depending on the direction of the Sheriff and community expectations and standards.

Corrections Staff

Corrections Deputies provide supervision, custody and care of inmates in the Clark County Jail facilities. Duties include booking (facility admissions), searching and releasing prisoners, monitoring jail access, courtroom security, transport of inmates, inmate classification, and work release. They help in maintaining order in the day to day operation of the jail. It is not uncommon for staff to physically subdue a violent inmate and a day later try to protect that inmate from harming themselves.

Corrections staff continues with honor and distinction in their dedication, patience and resourcefulness to operate safe and secure facilities. By the end of 2009, 32 custody staff positions were cut due to the budget deficit, making their responsibilities and duties very challenging. Corrections specialized units, inmate programs, specialty courts, and other agency and community partnerships has eased the "do more with less" in daily operations, but the increasingly unpredictable inmate population still presents challenges and strains resources in safety and security of staff, visitors of the facility, inmates and themselves.

Improvements and Changes

In 2004, video arraignment was implemented providing better service to courts and paperwork and reduced inmate movement outside of the jail increasing safety for court personnel and the public.

The Corrections Branch adapts as federal laws and requirements change for jails regarding supervision, custody and care of adult pre-trial and sentenced offenders. In 2008, the Corrections Branch at the direction of the Sheriff, implemented the following additional education efforts and reporting systems related to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): 1) PREA requirements and reporting of incidents were provided to all persons coming into the facilities, 2) inmate education and information posted to avoid victimization, 3) a reporting system utilizing the inmate telephone system, and 4) investigative procedures, report writing and tracking systems were improved.

Re-Entry

In 2013, the Corrections Branch embraced a new mission and vision, expanding from incarceration supervision to a broader, corrections-based supervision. Part of this change in focus is connecting people released from jail with community resources to reduce
recidivism and promote healthier outcomes and safer communities in our county. The Corrections Re-entry Program began in 2014 and has already seen successes. For more information about this new program click on these links to view a video:

Partnerships with law enforcement agencies, various courts, other branches of the Sheriff's Office, specialized units within the Corrections branch and staff work together to provide safety and security of the facilities for staff, visitors, and individuals in custody.

One of the partnerships is with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE). A satellite office is located in the Main Jail and is staffed by a local agent who facilitates identifying foreign nationals who have violated federal immigration laws.

Out of County Jail Commitments

Persons with jail commitments from other jurisdictions may, under certain circumstances, serve their sentence in other jurisdictions facilities. The court of originating charges must approve you to serve your sentence in our facility. Our facility must also approve your request. Your request is approved or denied in accordance to the safety and security of our facility. You must fill out the form, in advance, completely and accurately and return to our facility for approval. You will be contacted concerning our decision to your request. If approved, you must be able to pay the per day fee in full and in advance and will be expected to follow all the rules of our facility.